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The manager of a fruit packing operation in Hampshire has gone on trial accused of the manslaughter of two of his workers.

Scott Cain and Ashley Clarke, both in their twenties, died after falling unconscious in a building used to store apples at the Blackmoor Estate near Liss in Hampshire.

The building did not have enough oxygen in it and the prosecution says employees were "encouraged" to go in without breathing apparatus. Andrew Stocker, their manager, denies the charges. The trial continues. Andrew Pate sent this report from Winchester Crown Court.

Hampshire Police have formally identified two men who died at the Blackmoor Estate in Liss in Hampshire on Monday 18 February. The bodies of Scott Cain, aged 23, from Whitehill and Ashley Clark, aged 24, from Liss were found in a storage area.

Officers were called to the site at 3.15pm by the men's colleagues when the two fruit packers did not return from their duties. The men were pronounced dead at the scene. Post mortem examinations carried out on Tuesday 19 February proved inconclusive. The police are waiting for toxicology results.

Hampshire Constabulary are leading an investigation into what happened, supported by the Health & Safety Executive.

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The club president of a football team has paid tribute to Scott Cain, a fruit packer who died at work on Monday 18 February.

The 23-year-old was a player at Wey Valley Football Club when not working. He and a colleague were found dead in a building on the Blackmoor Estate in Liss, near Selborne in Hampshire.

Hampshire Police and the Health & Safety Executive are investigating.

Whilst at work on Monday, Scott and a colleague died in a tragic accident.

Scott became a Wey Valley player when he was 14 and will be sorely missed by his team mates and everyone who knew him. Scott loved his football and for me (as his manager and coach), was not only a model player but a good friend both in and out of football.

In his football he will be remembered for his fearless defending and tireless/total commitment to the team and its success. Amongst many other highlights in his time with the Club he holds the record of being the only Wey Valley player to have scored an international goal in the team’s U18 end of season friendly (April 2007) against a visiting Dutch side Telyingen. He also invented the “twin shin headed clearance” -

something the whole team will remember with a smile.

Outside of football Scotty was utterly devoted to his fiancee and daughter and could be summed up as a ‘true gent’. He had a great sense of humour and was invariably willing to help anyone, anytime.

All our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

– Nigel Welch, President & Mens' Team Manager, Wey Valley Football Club